arata ATP-125 Review: Stretchable, OK for all seasons, highly durable and weighs 126g! Unconventional trekking pole

As technology advances, "light" trekking poles are expanding their lineup in the market. Looking at the trekking poles on the market, the telescopic, three-piece pole is currently the lightest in the world, with a model that weighs less than 150g each.

So, there has been an ultra-lightweight trekking pole that surpasses the lightest class trekking pole. The arata ATP-125 has a minimum weight of 126g, making it lighter than a trekking pole with the same structure.

However, to put loads safely while carrying around 10kg of equipment on your back, you need not only light but also strength. What about the arata ATP-125, which boasts a unique lightness I tried out the ultra-lightweight trekking poles in the field, which have just been released, so I'll review them.

Main features of the arata ATP-125

The arata ATP-125 is a 3-piece (section) trekking pole with length adjustment function, made from a special carbon pipe with excellent weight strength. The poles are woven using a method called Direct Filament Winding, which makes it easy to increase the carbon content, making them particularly excellent in weight strength, and the connections use screw-types that are different from those of ordinary folding trekking poles, and by using aluminum alloy, they achieve the world's lightest weight despite their high load capacity.

It can be adjusted in a stepless manner between 100cm and 125cm, and uses a flick lock type that is easy to adjust. When folded, it is shortened to 38cm long, allowing it to be stored compactly. One pole weighs 126g, and when combined with the strap it weighs 133g. It features an EVA foam grip that is light and easy to grip, and comes with a dedicated basket, snow basket and stone cover, making it a trekking pole that can be used all year round, from mountain climbing and hiking during the green season to snowy mountains.

Recommended points

• Overwhelmingly light and durable
• The screw-type connection reduces shaking when it pokes, providing comfort that you can thrust with peace of mind
• Moderate shock absorption when thrusts
• Strength is no problem even if you put your weight on it
• Flick lock type with no floor adjustment from 100cm to 125cm
• An exquisite grip that can be pushed without having to put too much effort into it
• Comes with a snow basket so you can wear it all year round
• Storage size that does not stick out from the backpack

Points that interest me

• Screw-type connections take a little time to assemble
• The grip is slightly thin
• A maximum of 125cm cannot be used with a large one-pole shelter.

Main Specifications and ratings

Impressions used

Overwhelmingly light and durable

Actual measurements of pole and strap combined

the ATP-125 is 133g per piece with a strap (actual measurement value is 134.3g). Although it is not the lightest in comparison to poles that do not have adjustable functions and trail running poles, it is the lightest in the world for a "length adjustable three-piece structure." The DURSTON Iceline Trekking Poles introduced on Outdoor Gearzin in March 2025 cost 145g per bottle, so it has now become even lighter by 12g. Despite being so light, I tried various things, such as putting on weight and thrustting hard on the field test, but there were no problems at all. I was able to put my weight safely.

the ATP-125 is about 13mm near the thickest grip and 11mm at the tip (please note that there may be errors as this is an actual measured value), so it is not thicker than other trekking poles. The reason why it is so strong even though it is light is that it uses a technique to increase the carbon content of the poles and its unique connecting structure ensures high durability. While a typical carbon pipe is made from a UD sheet with carbon fibers running in one direction as the core material, and a 3K sheet with a lattice pattern is layered on the surface, the ATP-125 is knitted using a method called Direct Filament Winding, which makes it easy to increase the carbon content ratio, and uses carbon pipes that are highly strong against weight, ensuring strength while reducing weight.

The ATP-125 has a load of 36 kg, which is the strength just before the pole breaks (or breaks) when applied to axial load, but with the ATP-125's load specs, it is not a problem if used for normal mountain climbing or hiking (based on actual experience after field testing). However, it is not possible to say that the load resistance is not a problem when walking. Keep in mind that when speed is added, such as trail runs, more loads are applied, so you will need sufficient knowledge and experience in performance and limitations.

The screw-type connection reduces shaking when it pokes, providing comfort that you can thrust with peace of mind

Trekking poles are simple items, despite their different structure. However, when you thrust into the field, the impact transmission, vibration and deflection vary depending on the pole, depending on the material used and the connection method, and each pole has its own unique characteristics, such as those that capture the field tightly and those that persistently support the field.

The ATP-125 hits the trail firmly, and there is no recoil from the impact that comes with it. I was able to push and put weight on with confidence without any flexion. Based on experience using multiple trekking poles so far, the shock absorption and lack of deflection when thrusts are characteristic of carbon material. The lack of deflection or recoil when thrusts is heavily related to the method and strength of the connection.

Some folding trekking poles use a connection method in which the pole is held by pulling the internal wire, but trekking poles with this structure can cause vibrations to be transmitted and you may feel deflection when you thrust them. On the other hand, the ATP-125 uses a "screw type," which is rare for trekking poles, so it is firmly fixed, and the strength of the connection part is increased, making it less likely to feel any deflection when poking.

Screw-type connections, and can be fixed by turning them round and round like screws. Turn it clockwise to secure it and loosen counterclockwise

I was concerned that the screw type would loosen up due to continuous impacts during use, but after several tests it never loosened. It is important to tighten it firmly when assembling, but there is a resilient O-ring at the connection, and by tightening the screws firmly, it plays a role in preventing them from loosening, making it difficult to loosen.

Screw-type connections take a little time to assemble

Because it is a screw type, it takes a little time to assemble, so it is not suitable for situations where you want to quickly assemble, but trekking poles that are fastened with wires that allow for quick assembly become useless when the wire breaks, while they are not easy to use, but because they have a primitive structure, they are less likely to cause problems, and even if the internal shock cord breaks, they can be used without any problems.

Flick lock type with no floor adjustment from 100cm to 125cm

The grip on the top of the pole is telescopic (extensible) and can be adjusted steplessly between 100cm and 125cm long, and the flick lock type makes adjustments easy. The scales are in increments of 1cm, making it easy to adjust the length, and the scales also help you find the best length for yourself. Once you know the best length, you can use it as a standard when choosing a lighter trekking pole with less elasticity as the next step, so trekking poles with scales are also recommended as entry models.

However, although lightweight trekking poles have increased strength, they may break if excessive loads or impacts are applied, so use is assumed to be made with an understanding of the product's performance and limitations and safety precautions.

Can be stored compactly

While the telescopic trekking poles have the advantage of being highly operable, they may protrude largely when attached to a backpack, but the ATP-125 is folded to 38cm long, allowing for compact storage, and comes with a Velcro band so that they can be kept together when stored, so they will not fall apart and will not protrude from the backpack, so they will not hang on the tree above you.

An exquisite grip that can be pushed without having to put too much effort into it

first the ATP-125, I felt that the grip was slightly thin. My hands are larger than average, so although it can't be helped, the grip felt thinner among the poles I've had so far. I was concerned about the thin grip making it difficult to grip, but when I tried it on the field, I was surprised to see that the shape of the grip makes it support without requiring grip strength.

The grip, which is perfectly attached to the area around your little finger when you grip it, can be used in conjunction with a strap to apply force without having to grip it hard, allowing you to use it for long periods of time without getting tired. The shape is also easy to use, as it is easy to use, so even if you change the way you hold it according to the situation, it will get stuck in the right position, making it very easy to use.

Comes with a snow basket so you can wear it all year round

It comes with a stone cover, basket and strap as accessories, so you can use it as is after purchase, and it also comes with a snow basket so it can be used on snowy mountains.

The snow basket, which is approximately 89mm in diameter, provides buoyancy and makes it possible to use it in snowy mountains. Incidentally, the snow basket weighs 19g, and the trekking pole weighs 153g.

The snow basket is not an option and has no complaints about it being included, but if it was forced, it would have been great if the snow basket had been designed to prevent it from interfering when folded.

Summary: An all-season trekking pole that is ultra-lightweight and sturdy, functional and compact

We introduced the ATP-125 trekking pole, newly released by arata

The lightweight trekking pole, which is telescopic yet weighs less than 130g, is not only light, but also has strong strength, making it an easy-to-use item. The ATP-125 is a recommended trekking pole for hikers who want to use trekking poles to support walking while also reducing weight.

Arata, which has the meaning of "new or change" in its origins, is creating items that overturn common sense one after another, as the name suggests. A tent, a sleeping mat, and the trekking poles introduced this time. Personally, I'm already looking forward to seeing what will be produced next.

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Yosuke C

People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.

From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.

A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.

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